Spring trigger assembly for mixing dual liquids

ABSTRACT

A SPRING TRIGGER ASSEMBLY IS PROVIDED FOR PLACING, FIRST AND SECOND LIQUIDS IN FIRST AND SECOND CONTAINERS NORMALLY SEPARATED, INTO COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OTHER FOR MIXING. THE ASSEMBLY ITSELF IS INCLUDED IN THE SECOND CONTAINER AND COMPRISES A COILED COMPRESSION SPRING, A SPRING TRIGGER MEANS, AND AN INERTIA MEANS COOPERATING WITH THE SPRING TRIGGER MEANS TO HOLD THE COMPRESSION SPRING IN A COMPRESSED STATE AND, WHEN SHAKEN LOOSE FROM THE SPRING TRIGGER MEANS, TO RELEASE THE COMPRESSION SPRING SO THAT IT CAN EXPAND TO THEREBY OPEN THE SECOND CONTAINER AND PROVIDE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE LIQUIDS.

Feb. 27, 1973 P. J. CRONAN 3,718,235

SPRING TRIGGER ASSEMBLY FOh MIXING DUAL LIQUIDS Filed Dec. 15, 1971 ll I8 22 ll 22 g 5; I? Z L |6 l9a 23 i 1 I9 I? I5 i B i 20 u IS A A v *1 s i Q B United States Patent O US. Cl. 222-145 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A spring trigger assembly is provided for placing, first and second liquids in first and second containers normally separated, into communication with each other for mixing. The assembly itself is included in the second container and comprises a coiled compression spring, a spring trigger means, and an inertia means cooperating with the spring trigger means to hold the compression spring in a compressed state and,'whenshaken loose from the spring trigger means, to release the compression spring so that it can expand to thereby open the second container and provide communication between the liquids.

This invention relates generally to mixing of liquids normally held in a separated state and more particularly to a novel inertia activated spring trigger assembly for effectively removing a barrier between two liquids so that they can mix upon actuation of the inertia mechanism.

, BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While the present invention Will'find use in any situation in which it is desired to efiect a mixing between two liquids or fluids which are normally maintained in 21 separated condition, the preferred embodiment of the invention will be described inconjunction with aerosol type cans such as used for spraying paint and the like wherein a catalyst constitutes one of the liquids to be maintained separate from the resin or other liquid until such time as a spraying operation is to take place.

Heretofore, it has been proposed to form a can containing at least two compartments which are sealed from each other. The catalyst and resinous materials are placed in the compartments respectively and caused to be mixed immediately prior to use. Such devices as have been provided heretofore, however, are relatively expensive to manufacture in large quantities primarily because of difficulties in forming the dual compartment container itself. I In my US. Pat. No; 3,591,089 issued July 6, 1971 there is described and claimed a-portable spray means for dual liquids wherein first and second containers are provided,

the second container being disposed in the first container and an inertia: means being incorporated in the second container to shatter the same upon shaking thereof whereby catalyst in the second container can mix with resin in the first container. While-the device as described in this patent will work, there is always the possibility of undue shaking of the can which might shatter the interior container prior to actual use. If the frangibility of the interior container is made'sufficiently strong to prevent accidental shattering by the inertia device, when it is actually desired to shatter the container to mix the liquids an excessive shaking force'may be'required and thus it isp'ossible that some frustration on the part of the user may occur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention has to do with a spring trigger assembly for facilitating the mixing of dual liquids which may usefully be employed in aerosol type spray cans such as that described in my heretofore referred to United 3,718,235 Patented Feb. 27, I973 States Patent but wherein various previous difliculties are avoided.

More particularly, the present invention contemplates unique inertia responsive triggering means which can be carefully controlled so that liquids may be mixed only in response to deliberate manual shaking of the can and wherein positive action is assured in placing the dual inpressed state. With this arrangement, a deliberate shaking is necessary to remove the inertia means which, upon separation from the trigger spring means permits the trigger means to move to a second position thereby releasing the main spring means which is. then free to expand with sufficient force to strike the barrier and remove the same.

Since the inertia means in the form of a ball is held captive by the trigger spring means, there is no possibility of accidental operation of the device in normal handling. 0n the other hand, deliberate shaking of the can in a specified manner will release the ball without undue frus tration thereby releasing the much larger striking force provided by the compression spring to assure a positive breaking of the barrier so that the liquids are placed in "communication with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS trigger assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 1s a cross section of the various components of FIG. 1 in assembled relationship showing the relative positions of the parts when the liquids are to be maintained in a separated state; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the relative position of the parts immediately after deliberate shaking of the container in order to mix the ingredients.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to'FIG. 1 there is shown an aerosol can or first container 10 having its bottom end closed at 11 and having a reduced diameter or neck portion 12 shaped to passage for liquids in the container under pressure.

In accordwith the present invention, there is provided "means 16 in the form of a metallic bracket for holding a second container shown in the exploded view exterior of the first container 10 at 17. This second container may serve to'carry a second liquid to be normally held separated from a first liquid in the first container 10. As shown, it is of elongated tubular shape and is arranged to receive amain spring means preferably in the form of a relatively strong compression spring 18.

Cooperating with the spring 18 is a spring trigger means 19 of a general U-shaped configuration and including lateral shoulders 19a and 19b. The ends of the U arms are indicated at 19c and 19d and are adapted to receive an inertia means in the form of a small solid metal ball 20. The assembly is completed by a cap 21 arranged may be firmly held in the holding clamp 16 so that it is stationary with respect to the first containerlt). The compression spring 18 in turn is illustrated as in a compressed state against the other or closed end of the second container 17. ,The trigger spring means in the form of the U-shaped member 19'has the base portion of the U secured to this other or closed end of the second container as at 22 in such a manner that the arms of the U -shaped member are surrounded by the coils of the compression spring 18, the axis of the compression spring being coaxial with the elongated second container 17. With the inertia means in the form of the metal ball 20 held between the ends of the arms of the U-shaped member as shown, the arms are spread apart such that the shoulders 19a and 19b overlie the end of the compression spring to hold the same in a compressed state. i

In FIG. 2, the cap 21 is shown closing the second container 17 and suitable liquids designated A and B normally to be held separated are shown in the respective first and second containers.

' In the case of a paint spray type aerosol can, the liquid A constitutes resin and the liquid B a suitable catalyst to be mixed with a resin A immediately prior to a spraying operation.

FIG. 3 shows the manner in which the two liquids can be placed into communication with each other by a deliberate shaking of the container. In FIG. 3 it will be noted that the ball 20 has been shaken loose from between the ends of the arms of the U-shaped member thereby permitting them to move together in their natural biased position. This movement in turn removes the shoulder portions from holding the compression spring so that the compression spring is released with substantial force sufficient to strike the cap 21 and knock it free of the second container 17. The liquids A and B can then mix.

OPERATION The operation of the spring trigger assembly will be evident from the foregoing description.

Initially, the compression spring 18 is disposed in the second container 17 and the trigger spring means in the form of the U-shaped member 19 inserted axially between the coils of the compression spring. The ball 20 is inserted between the ends 19c and 19d to spread the arms of the U-shaped member so that the shoulders 19a and 19b will engage the free end of the compression spring'18. The

assembly is then urged within the second container 17 to compress the spring 18 and the basev portion of the U-shaped member 19 is secured to the closed end of the secondary container 17 so that the compression spring is held in a compressed state. Thereafter, the second container 17 is filled with the liquid B and the cap 21 then forced in place to close the tube. V

The container 17 is then secured within the bracket 16 t in the interior of the first container 10. This first container 10 may then be filled with the liquid A and the cover structure 13 secured in place.

The ball 20 is sufficiently securely held between the arm ends 190 and 19d of thetrigger spring means so that it will not shake loose or separate under normal handling of the container 10. v

When it is desired to use the container for, for example, spraying purposes, the container is inverted to the position shown in FIG. 2 and given a hard up and down shake in the direction of the double headed arrow 23 of FIG. 3. This action provides a sufiicientlylarge accelerating force to the ball 20 to separate it from the U-shaped member to collapse together in their naturally biased position. This action th n removes the shoulders 19a and 19b from the compression spring thereby releasing the compression spring as described heretofore such that it will strike the cap 21 and open the second container 17. The ball will then freely float within the first container 10 and the user simply continues shaking the can the sound of the ball against the sides of the can indicating that the ingredients are now in communication with each other and are properly being mixed. Y

The user can then upright the can and operate the spray head assembly 14 shown in FIG. 1 in the usual manner to effect a spraying operation.

Since the force exerted by the main compression springcan be made fairly large Whereas a relatively 'small force is only necessary to dislodge the ball from the trigger spring means, a positive removal of the barrier between the two liquids such as the cap is assured and yet an undue amount of shaking to dislodge the inertia deviceis not necessary.

While, as noted, the invention has been described with respect to aerosol spray cans, it isto be understood that the principles are applicable to any situation in which it is desiredto hold two liquids or fluids normally separated and thence permit them to combine or mix for any specific desired purpose. The invention accordingly, is not to be thought of as limited to the specific application described.

. What is claimed is:

1. A spring trigger assembly for placing first and second liquids normally separated by a barrier into communicameans upon being released striking said barrier to remove the same.

2. A spring trigger assembly for placing first and second liquids normally separated into communicationwith each other for mixing, comprising, in combination:

(a) a first container for carrying a first liquid; (b') a second container for carrying a second liquid; (c) means for securing said second container within said. first container; r (d) 'a coiled compression spring in said second container; F (e) a spring trigger means in said second container; and (f) inertia means in said second'container holding said spring trigger means in a first position to secure said coiled compression spring in a compressed state,

separation of said inertia means from said spring trigger means permitting-said spring trigger means to move to a second position to release said compression spring, expansion of said compression spring opening said second container whereby its interior is placed into communication with the interior of said first container. 3. An assembly according to claim 2, in which said second container is of elongated tubular shape. and includes a cap at one end frictionally secured to said end for closing said second container and removable from said end to open said second container upon being struck by a given force, said compression spring being coiled in the other end of said container in coaxial relationship therewith such that when it is released, it expands to strike said cap and thereby open said second container.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, in which said spring trigger means comprises a generally elongated U-shaped member having its arms biased together, each arm including a lateral shoulder extending outwardly, the base of the U-shaped member being secured to saidother end of said second container, said compression spring surrounding the arms of said U-shaped member, said inertia means comprising a ball receivable between the upper ends of the arms of said U-shaped member to spread said arms so that the lateral shoulders overlie the upper end of the compression spring to hold it in said compressed state, shaking of said second container with a predetermined acceleration causing said ball to shake loose from between the ends of said arms to permit them to come together so that said compression spring is released.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, in which said first container is an aerosol can and said second container incorporates a liquid which when mixed with the contents of said can provides an expanding solution for spraying.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner J. J. ROLLA, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

